New York to London (AA or BA)

[arrow]

I went to from LHR to NYC early this year on BA.

Experience was fantastic - Concorde Room, Arrivals Lounge & the BA product and in flight dining was amazing. I simply loved BA.

I am planning another trip LHR to JFK (F) return. I was wondering if I should stick with BA or try AA for a change.

Has anyone tried both? Any suggestions on which is best?

 

[Blackadder]

Well worth trying AA for there 777 product IMHO, and access to to flagship lounge facilities.

 

[Maca44]

In August last year flew AA return from NYC to LHR for three days work, and thought the FA's were totally incompetent and showed little regard for their work or attention to pax. With it being such a short trip I was in Y, so AA is now in the sin bin for a few years until 'I' think they might have improved. If its working why fix it, go BA.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I think you have answered your own question!!

BA is alot of things, but will always be better than an LOTFAB airline!!!

 

[aus_flyer]

I've flown BA longhaul in F, but I've never flown AA longhaul. How does the food and wine compare?

 

[Sprucegoose]

I've flown BA longhaul in F, but I've never flown AA longhaul. How does the food and wine compare?

Kippers versus Krisy Creme 's !!!

Food IMHO has alot to do where it is being prepared.

As an interesting aside, ANSETT I am told had the highest food budgets when they flew International.

Ihave flown BA F a few times and have never been disappointed. Sorry no INT Fon AA.

 

[Blackadder]

In August last year flew AA return from NYC to LHR for three days work, and thought the FA's were totally incompetent and showed little regard for their work or attention to pax. With it being such a short trip I was in Y, so AA is now in the sin bin for a few years until 'I' think they might have improved. If its working why fix it, go BA.

Anyone that goes AA Y for anything over a couple of hours is a brave person, however it is a different story at the front of the plane from my experiences.

 

[tuapekastar]

I assume the OP was in F as he/she had Concorde Room access, which I think is reserved for F pax (and maybe BA Gold) only?

Have never flown BA F, but went LHR-LAX in AA F last year and the experience was quite ok. I have little international F experience to draw on, but, while it was definitely not in the QF A380 league, it was quite pleasant* (a daytime, 11 hour flight)

*Always know what your meal choice is. I wasn't paying proper attention when our second 'snack' meal was being described to me, and there was something in that roll I definitely did not like. :shock:

Oh, and the AA Flagship lounge at LHR is rather underwhelming for an F lounge. Your standard QF international business lounge (e.g. MEL) is IMO notably better. As a WP flying AA you may get into the BA F lounge anyway - not sure - (flying F in BA you would as you know get the CCR).

I'd probably stick with BA - I suspect, while not having flown it, that based on anecdotal evidence it would be better. But it's only 5 or 6 hours I think, so maybe it's worth it just to find out. And then let us know.

 

[anat0l]

BA is alot of things, but will always be better than an LOTFAB airline!!!

Land of the Free and B....? Help me out here...

Anyway, I haven't flown AA F before but I'd still be angling towards BA F. From the pictures and reports, better food, better kits (if you do get kits, you may not, I don't know), better seats (AA is more "enclosed" but BA definitely looks more comfy and calming; even better if you get the new BA F seats) and CCR access at LHR.

Only if there is a significant price difference then we might need to have a harder think.


Ultimately, though, if you're willing to try for a change, then don't let us colour your perceptions: be bold and give AA (i.e. you have no experience) a go. But if you are looking to fly only the better or best, then I think most of us are helping you now on that.

 

[drron]

Well 4 longhaul F with AA thanks to those wonderful Evips.The crews have always been good and on 1 JFK-LHR sector probably the best service i have ever had.
Food was good without being outstanding.I find the AA F seat to be very comfortable for me.
2 Longhaul F sectors on BA.One superb crew, service and food.The other woeful-the stereo type stuck up Poms who look down on the colonials.
Disclosure-bias due to long time Aadvantage membership.

 

[tuapekastar]

Duplicate post

 

[tuapekastar]

better kits (if you do get kits, you may not, I don't know),

You do (or at least did last year). Fossicking through mine (a grey zip up bag in typical kit material, no brand name, just an AA logo) I note the presence of:

Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Toothpick
Mints
Refresher towelette
Socks
Eyemask
Tissues
Lip Balm
Body Lotion
Pen
Ear Plugs

 

[anat0l]

You do (or at least did last year). Fossicking through mine (a grey zip up bag in typical kit material, no brand name, just an AA logo) I note the presence of:

Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Toothpick
Mints
Refresher towelette
Socks
Eyemask
Tissues
Lip Balm
Body Lotion
Pen
Ear Plugs

I equally have just pulled out an Anya Hindmarch BA F bag which contains:

• Face Cleanser
• Skin Tonic
• Moisture Cream
• Lip Balm
• Eye Gel
• Mouthwash
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrush
• Eye Shade
• Socks
• Ear Plugs

Suppliers of those may have changed from DR Harris, but hopefully the content is the same.

So between AA and BA probably equal on kit contents, but...

Of course hoping that BA have stocked Anya Hindmarch bags. Whilst they are stylish (i.e. slight reduction in utility) and probably more attractive to women, they are sturdy and make a good storage case. Or a lovely gift for wife/girlfriend/other significant female in your life.

For a while, BA F ran into stocking issues and were only giving CW quality kits. Not good, but hopefully fixed.

 

[arrow]

I assume the OP was in F as he/she had Concorde Room access, which I think is reserved for F pax (and maybe BA Gold) only?

Have never flown BA F, but went LHR-LAX in AA F last year and the experience was quite ok. I have little international F experience to draw on, but, while it was definitely not in the QF A380 league, it was quite pleasant* (a daytime, 11 hour flight)

*Always know what your meal choice is. I wasn't paying proper attention when our second 'snack' meal was being described to me, and there was something in that roll I definitely did not like. :shock:

Oh, and the AA Flagship lounge at LHR is rather underwhelming for an F lounge. Your standard QF international business lounge (e.g. MEL) is IMO notably better. As a WP flying AA you may get into the BA F lounge anyway - not sure - (flying F in BA you would as you know get the CCR).

I'd probably stick with BA - I suspect, while not having flown it, that based on anecdotal evidence it would be better. But it's only 5 or 6 hours I think, so maybe it's worth it just to find out. And then let us know.

Yeah I was flying First.

I would stick to BA from LHR - NYC. But on the NYC - LHR route I was wondering if I should try AA. I would lose BA arrivals lounge access @ T5 , hence I would want the AA product + Flagship Lounge to better, which based on the posts here seems unlikely.

Agree with your sentiments - I'll prob stick with BA for both routes

Thanks

 

[tuapekastar]

Yeah I was flying First.

I would stick to BA from LHR - NYC. But on the NYC - LHR route I was wondering if I should try AA. I would lose BA arrivals lounge access @ T5 , hence I would want the AA product + Flagship Lounge to better, which based on the posts here seems unlikely.

Agree with your sentiments - I'll prob stick with BA for both routes

Thanks

Probsably the best bet by the sound of it.

I will note that I used the AA arrivals lounge at LHR T3 (F from SIN-LHR on QF) and actually found it quite good (29 showers, hot breakfast etc.), though I have no other arrivals lounge experience to compare it with.

 

[arrow]

Probsably the best bet by the sound of it.

I will note that I used the AA arrivals lounge at LHR T3 (F from SIN-LHR on QF) and actually found it quite good (29 showers, hot breakfast etc.), though I have no other arrivals lounge experience to compare it with.

Thanks, the AA arrivals lounge is good, however the BA arrivals lounge in T5 does have the spa and slightly more variety for breakfast). I flew J on the return leg hence couldn't use the Private Dining in the Arrivals Lounge

Does anyone know if the there is still the Concorde Room in NYC (JFK)/whether its any good? Have only used the one in LHR T5?